Having already scheduled a friendly for September 6 against Belgium in Brussels, the United States have added to their fall slate with a September 2 friendly against Costa Rica at the Home Depot Center. It will be the first time that the two CONCACAF foes play a friendly since 1995. Since then, the two have only played competitive matches, but they will get together in Carson, CA, a Los Angeles suburb.
USA To Host Costa Rica In LA On September 2
The U.S. and Costa Rica have played each other 28 times, with each team winning 11 and six finishing in draws. The September 2 friendly will kick off at 11 pm ET, 8 pm local time, and be broadcast live in the United States in English on ESPN2 and in Spanish on Telefutura. It is expected that the U.S. will use a squad of mostly MLS and Mexican Primera Division players, with the European based players taking part in the friendly against Belgium.
The last time that the U.S. and Costa Rica played was on the final day of 2010 World Cup qualifying in Washington, D.C., when the Americans scored at the death to earn a 2-2 draw. The draw knocked the Ticos down from third place, which would have qualified them for the World Cup, to fourth place, where they were forced to play a two-legged playoff with Uruguay for qualification. They lost the playoff and missed out on qualifying for their third consecutive World Cup.
The United States is very familiar with the Los Angeles area, having just played there in the Gold Cup final. That match was at the Rose Bowl and went 4-2 in favor of Mexico. The Americans also hold an annual training camp and friendly at the Home Depot Center in January for their domestic players and those playing in leagues with long winter breaks in Scandinavia.
See More:
